A style which is trending recently is Tassel, so what is the style all about and the history behind this Tassel Tale. A tassel is a finishing feature in fabric and clothing decoration. It is a universal ornament that is seen in varying versions in many cultures around the globe, Oh ya! that is the straight answer. Today at TSS, in Pattern & Style let me educate you more about this style and give you some The Season Style tips to rock the Tassel fashion this season. Here we go…


Hey There,

So what is Tassel?

A basic key tassel is made by binding or otherwise gathering threads from cord protrudes on one end, where the tassel is hung. This may have loose, dangling threads at the other end. Tassels are normally decorative elements, and as such one often finds them attached, usually along the bottom hem, to garments, curtains, pasties covering the nipples of burlesque performers, or other hangings.

History

A tassel is primarily an ornament, and was at first the casual termination of a cord to prevent unraveling with a knot. As time went on, various people developed variations on this, until by the 16th century in France, the first Guild of Passementiers was created and documented the art of passementerie.

In the U.S., tassels, or liripipes, are also found on mortarboards during university graduation ceremonies and possibly upon the shoes of the graduates at the ceremony. Near the conclusion of the graduation ceremony, the tassel that hangs from the graduate’s mortarboard is moved from the right to the left. Typically, the entire graduating class does this in union.

In the Hebrew Bible, the Lord spoke to Moses instructing him to tell the Israelites to make tassels (Hebrew tzitzit) on the corners of their garments, to help them to remember all the commandments of the Lord and to keep them (Numbers 15:37-40), and as a sign of holiness. The religious Hebrew tassel, however, bears little resemblance to the decorative one which eventually became popular in Europe, especially France.

In the West, tassels were originally a series of windings of thread or string around a suspending string until the desired curvature was attained. Later, turned wooden moulds, which were either covered in simple wrappings or much more elaborate coverings called satinings, were used. This involved an intricate binding of bands of filament silk vertically around the mould by means of an internal “lacing” in the bore of the mould.

These constructions were varied and augmented with extensive ornamentations that were each assigned an idiosyncratic term by their French creators. In sixteenth-century France,  these individuals were called passementiers, and an apprenticeship of seven years was required to become a master in one of the subdivisions of the guild. The French widely exported their very artistic work, and at such low prices that no other European nation developed a mature “trimmings” industry. Many of the passementiers, however, were among the Protestant Hugenots who fled France in the 1600s to escape persecution, taking their tools and skills with them. Tassels and their associated forms changed style throughout the years, from the small and casual of Renaissance designs (see example), through the medium sizes and more staid designs of the Empire period to the Victorian Era with the largest and most elaborate decorative flourishes. Some of these designs are returning today from the European and American artisans, who may charge a thousand dollars for a single hand-made tassel. The majority of the world’s tassel production, however, takes place in China which mass-produces and exports them globally.

Tassels (also called tufts) were traditionally worn by Oxford and Cambridge University undergraduates on their caps, those wearing gold tassels were those who had paid for the status of gentleman-commoner, thus receiving increased social prestige and more luxurious accommodation than ordinary commoners who wore plain black tassels on their caps. Today, only the Chancellor of Oxford wears a gold tassel.

In the Middle East, tassels were worn as talismans, especially on headwear. In Egypt, Mesopotamia, and throughout the Arab world tassels were worn by children on hoods or caps to protect them from malevolent spirits and ward off demons.


The Season Style Tips

  • Statement Tassel Earrings

Every so often a trend comes around that is simply too cute to pass up. This year it’s the year of the tassel, with everything from shoes, pillows, tanks, bags, and earrings rocking the trend. The perfect mix of fun and flirty, tassel earrings are playful enough to wear with a casual daytime outfit and elegant enough to compliment a dressier nighttime look. Tassel earrings are versatile, coming in many different sizes, shapes, colors, and patterns that compliment a variety of face shapes.

Statement earrings are probably something you have been admiring but never quite dared to try to incorporate in your outfit. Perhaps, they are part of your everyday look? Or maybe you spend your mornings trying to decide what clothes to match to your chunky showstoppers?

Steal My Look

Dress – Vero Moda

Tassel Earring – Style Fiesta

Heels – Neel

Bag – Online


  • Oversize Tassel Tee

Solid tee with tassel hem an oversized t-shirt will rock you look in school. Linen is definitely the fabric for the hot days, if you’re lucky enough to be in a hot and sunny place, you can benefit from having a simple tee with tassel and hip shorts to keep you cool. If you need to make the look more suitable for not so hot summer nights you can add matching sneakers for a casual feeling.

Steal My Look

Tassel Tee – The Paper Doll Company

Shorts – Zara

Shoe – Koovs


  • Boho Tassel Shrug

If you’re looking for a fresh summer outfit you can wear out and about town and feel as if you’re on your way to the beach or pool side at the same time, you can pair a feminine Boho Tassel Shrug with a bustier and Short. It’s a lovely boho outfit for the perfect day out. Denim bustier plus a pair of super trendy Boho shorts can make the most comfy and yet stylish look. Complete your look with funky shade just like my butterfly sunglasses, will make you stand out from the crowd

Steal My Look

Shrug, Shorts and Bustier – Max Fashion

Heels – Online

Sunglasses – Sneek-A-Peek


  • Midi Long Tassel Dress

If you’d rather try on a black dress for night look, we’ve got another suggestion for you. My Midi Long Dress is perfect for night out, this bodycon dress will steal the spotlight and complement you whole night. This kind of Tassel dress is must have in closet.

Steal My Look

Dress and Bag – Spring Break

Shoe – Amazon.in


The beauty of Tassel lies in their simplicity and versatility. They go with pretty much any outfit from bohemian-chic to classic-cool. They make just enough of a statement for the cool girl’s look.

Now you know all about Tassel, Go and Get a pair of cool Tassel outfit or accessories and tag #theseasonstyle with you look. Until the wear what is in The Season Style.

Happy Shopping
Article written and model – Jannat Sorathia (founder of THE SEASON STYLE)
Tag on Instagram and follow – @jannatsorathia #theseasonstyle
Photographer –  @3riiphotography @framedaar  
Location – Hotel Royal Orchid Navi Mumbai